Shows how prominent mass communication theories can be employed to further knowledge of diversity-related issues. Provides examples of how diversity-related issues can be addressed in mass communication theory courses. Concludes that, by definition, mass communication must take into account diversity. (PM)

Attempts to locate the changes and challenges to the traditional understanding of what journalism is, to describe ways of dealing with them up to this point, and to formulate a number of arenas to explore initiatives to educate the new journalists of today and tomorrow. Notes that the argument is based on recent developments in journalism…

Notes that teachers, whether new or senior faculty, cannot succeed--with or without new technology--unless they keep in mind the dimensions of good teaching that allow them to connect with students in the first place. Focuses on creating a learning community around five dimensions associated with effective teaching: enthusiasm, command of subject,…

Examines the accessibility of Web sites belonging to 80 colleges of communications and schools of journalism by examining the hypertext markup language (HTML) used to format the pages. Suggests ways to revise the markup of pages to make them more accessible to students with vision, hearing, and mobility problems. Lists resources of the latest…

Argues that many of the agents of transmission of persuasive communication to the classroom (i.e., public relations and advertising educators) are not as well prepared for the task as might be thought. Considers how curricular integration in advertising and public relations makes good economic sense, but to also make good educational sense it…

Provides fundamental information on learning disabilities relevant to programs preparing students for print media careers. Discusses learning disabilities specific to written expression. Examines legal issues and offers an overview of the types of appropriate accommodations that may be made in the classroom, including assistive technology and…

Details an instructional approach (used at a college newspaper serving a medium-sized midwestern city) designed to teach student journalists how to gather, critically assess, and verify information on the World Wide Web. Discusses data concerning the use of the Web site developed at the newspaper as part of the project. Offers guidelines developed…

Proposes a teaching model for making research relevant. Presents a case study of the model as used in advertising and public relations research classes. Notes that the model consists of a knowledge base, team process, a realistic goal-oriented experience, self-management, expert consultation, and evaluation and synthesis. Discusses resulting…

Describes a revised media writing course (required of all journalism majors) at Texas A&M University. States that it meets "scholarship" and "centrality" issues in nine ways: communication theory, personal skills, critical thinking, writing about writing, thematic organization, coaching writing, critiques and revisions, freedom and ethics, and…

Advocates teaching computer skills to journalism students, especially advanced computer-assisted reporting techniques. States that journalism faculty at American University teach such skills and techniques at every level after faculty reached a consensus to impart skills gradually through a skills sequence. Considers that curriculum reform was a…

Asks whether journalism educators overlook the importance of honing basic newsgathering skills and if they encourage development of judgment beyond what newsroom situations dictate. Advocates teaching basic skills, such as grammar and punctuation, in introductory newswriting courses; and increasing students' general knowledge, critical thinking,…

Synthesizes views of the student press and information about successful political strategy to propose a model for passing state legislation for providing some form of statutory protection for student expression in school-sponsored publications. (SR)

Outlines three fact-finding sessions (included in a beginning reporting class) that give students knowledge of a small but well-chosen set of (principally paper) reference sources. Reports results of a survey of newspaper business editors regarding their use of paper reference works, and notes their support of such training. (SR)

States that accountability has led to an environment where program assessment is central to academic life, since government pressure calls into question the quality and efficiency of higher education. Presents a model of a hierarchy for mass communication program assessment methods and program component review. Concludes that effective assessment…

Discusses the evolution of "fair use," the use of video in teaching, and how three leading copyright scholars interpret the use of videos. Offers interpretative conclusions about what professors can and cannot videotape for classroom purposes. (SR)